Title: Restless Souls
Author: Haldir of Lórien
Disclaimer: The world of Middle Earth and all it's characters (etc) do not belong to us and we claim no rights to, or make any money from them. The original characters -created for the purpose of role-play and other forms of amusement- are the property of the individual users (the character's creators) of our board.
Rating: R (due to possible language and violence)
Notes: Some characters may be a bit out of character. Also, there are original characters within this fic, made up by the RPG players. This is a fic written by more then one author at a Haldir RPG board. Please read and review. We are anxious to know what everyone thinks of the fic! The fic may be a little confusing for it jumps around a little between our characters, but we hope you enjoy it none the less.
Restless Souls
Chapter Four: Arrivals in Lothlórien
Elrond shifted tirelessly atop his travel weary mount, his grey eyes taking in the sights of the towering trees and feeling the cool air of the Golden Wood shift around them, a welcoming feeling indeed. It lacked the mists of the falls he was used to in Rivendell, but it was just as fresh and held the hint of age, of wild trees. It had been far too long since he visit the wood, too long since he spoke with their cousins of Lothlorien. Travel these days was dangerous, and duty kept him bond to Rivendell beyond the strongest bind he had there, the wishes of his heart.
Still, it was not an unpleasant feeling to leave his dwelling once in awhile, and the twilight haired elf was often curious about the affairs of the other elven nations. He was certain his mind would settle and be lightened by the promising conversation here, even if these cousins, often of fair hair, were more rigid and of older codes than his own realm.
The Lord of Rivendell looked over his shoulder, glancing at his similarly faired haired companion, Glorfindel. He was fortunate to have a companion on such a journey and soon, both their spirits would be lifted by the company of yet more elves.
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Galadriel could feel Elrond approaching. ::Lord Elrond:: she said. ::Hear me. You will be met by the Guardians of Lorien in a few minutes. I need your assistance and they already know this! They will allow you to pass quickly. Glorfindel may stay and take it slower if he wishes.::
::Please come quickly Elrond. One of my handmaidens is near death and I do not think that I can save her on my own!::
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Elrond pulled his horse to a halt, closing his eyes as Galadriel's voice entered his mind. It was a strange feeling, still, even after all this time, but the words she spoke forced him from pondering the sensation fully. Peril. A life hung in the balance.
Grey eyes slowly opened, and he kept his horse moving forward, a bit more quickly, to await the Guardians who would lead him to the one in jeopardy.
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Rúmil stepped out of his hiding place and approached Lord Elrond and Glorfindel as they approached on their horses. "Lord Elrond," he said in greeting. He bowed slightly. "My Lady has bid you haste. Glorfindel may stay behind is he wishes, but she needs your assistance now, as I am sure that you are already aware."
He turned and pointed. "If you go straight down that path it should lead you to the talan of the Lady's handmaidens. My brother Haldir's wife is dying from an Orc wound of some sort. Please hurry, she does not have that much time left!"
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Glorfindel turns to Elrond giving him a worried look. "I wish to come along with hopes that I will be some help to you in healing the wife of Haldir." As soon as Glorfindel saw that Elrond was ready to head off, he nudged his horse forward in the direction given to him by Rumil.
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"Come Elrohir!"
Elladan nudged the sides of his horse again, urging it to move more quickly, though he knew it was useless. The horse was going as fast as it could, at Elladan's wish. He could tell something was wrong, he wasn't sure what, but the father-sons bond was strong within himself, Elrohir, and their father, Elrond.
Elrohir's horse caught up to Elladan's.
"Gods, Elladan! Slow down, you are going to kill that poor horse!"
Elladan pulled sharply on the reins as he realized the truth of his brother's words, and earned himself a good hit on the ground. The horse had reared as he yanked the reins and tossed him off onto the hard earth.
Cursing, Elladan stood up and brushed off his leggings. The horse, called Aniron, was now standing peacefully by Elrohir, and Elrohir was laughing, leaning on the neck of his own horse, Darth, for support.
Elladan shook his head and remounted Aniron. Aniron allowed him to settle himself on his back before starting up again at a walk.
"What be the hurry, Elladan?"
"Something is wrong. I can feel it, father is worried." Elrohir paused, closing his eyes, and opened them a moment later.
"You are right. There is trouble in the Golden Wood." Elrohir was very good at stating the obvious. Elladan managed a grin and then nudged Aniron to a trot. Elrohir followed quickly, and finally the eaves of Lórien came into view.
"There!"
"Yes, thank you Elrohir, I can see it."
Elrohir chuckled.
"Race you there!" He took off. Aniron could tell what he was doing and felt the heels of his master in her sides. She started into a gallop almost too fast for the Elf on her back to realize what was happening and get a nice grip on her mane. Elladan rode up behind his brother, laughing, and turned Aniron suddenly, dashing over the Nimrodel and into the forests of Lothlórien.
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Rúmil heard the sounds of approaching hoofbeats. He frowned, they were coming fast! Then he heard the musical voices of Elves. He gave a small smile. Perhaps it was the twin sons of Elrond.
Quickly he stepped out from behind a tree. He didn't even flinch when it looked like he was about to be stepped on by the two horses. Calmly he looked up at the two riders, and bowed slightly.
"Elladan, Elrohir..." he said. "I would have thought that you were traveling with your father. Please, continue on to Lothlorien. You will not be hindered on your way." He gestured toward the path that their father had taken. "You will find him healing one of Lady Galadriel's handmaidens."
He bowed again and took a step backward as they continued onward.
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Elrohir pulled his horse to a halt as Rúmil stepped out of the trees. The Guard made no move to get out of the way as Elladan nearly ran him down. Elrohir shook his head, scolding his brother. Rúmil managed a smile.
"Elladan, Elrohir..." he said. "I would have thought that you were traveling with your father. Please, continue on to Lothlorien. You will not be hindered on your way." He gestured toward the path that their father had taken. "You will find him healing one of Lady Galadriel's handmaidens."
"Many thanks," Elrohir said, and Rúmil melted back into the shadows. "Elladan! Elladan, come back here!"
Elladan laughed. When Elrohir got close enough, he smacked his brother on the head.
"You have no idea where we are going, Elladan. Now follow me."
Elladan made faces behind his twin's back. Elrohir chose to ignore him. He lead Elladan at a quick pace through the woods, following the path Rúmil had shown him. Soon they neared Caras Galadhon, the palace in the trees. Elrohir lept off Darth and Elladan followed, letting a servant take their horses away to be stabled. They started up the winding stair together, not sure where their father was.
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From afar there was dust being shuffled up into the air by the horse moving swiftly across the plain lands. The black legs were almost invisible, but the green cloak of the rider clearly showed that it was an elf from Mirkwood.
Orophin and Rumil, who were talking, looked curiously at who might be showing up to this late hour of day. It was close to nightfall and they didn't expect any more visitors this day.
Rumil looked at the rider and realized that it was an Elf, but she was different to what he knew from the Mirkwood elves. She had short reddish hair and her closes were torn.
She came to a halt right in front of him. Orophin stepped into sight next to him and grabbed for the reins of the horse. The girl jumped from its back and approached the two elves.
"I got to speak to Lady Galadriel! It is of important matter and can't take long discussions," she said.
But Orophin held her back. She glared at him, and spoke again. "I can tell you only this, i have to speak to the Lady of Light."
Rúmil smiled and nudged his brothers side. "Let her pass, I will take her with me."
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Legolas had traveled for such a long time he began to wonder if he was lost. With his father busy and no other representative of his people available; Thranduil had sent him to Lothlorien to discuss final preparations for leaving middle earth with the other elves.
The sun was nearly rising as he saw Lorien for the first time. His anticipation grew. He urged his horse forward to a gallop and soon could smell the strong fragrance of the mallorn trees.
Knowing that there would surely be sentinels guarding the border he slowed his horse as he neared the edge of the trees.
The quiet of the woods was unnerving as he dismounted Nimro, and carried on on foot. He had not gotten far into the wood when he heard someone moving nearby.
"Who is there? Be ye friend or foe?" Came an elven voice.
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Rumil's head titled to the side. He heard yet another horse approaching. First it had been Elrond and Glorfindel, then Elladan and Elrohir, and then the she-elf that he had taken to Caras Galadon. Now who could it be? Peering silently around a tree, he saw a rider approach. He watched as the Elf -- he was sure it was an Elf -- got off his horse and began to make his way through the trees. As he grew closer Rumil called out: "Who is there? Be ye friend or foe?"
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A/N: Sorry it's so short right now. Hope you enjoyed the chapter so far! I have yet to officially edit this chapter, so please ignore any spelling mistakes. I don't have the time right, but I will get to it eventually...I still have to add a few more parts to it, so you will be seeing a revision in the future!
Chapter Five will be up soon! Depending on how long it takes FF.net. We've had a bit of an accident and lost a few chapters, but thanks to our dear Elladan and Elrohir, we were able to continue because the chapters were saved for entertainment! Please review. We would like to know your thoughts!!